ORANGEVILLE, Ont. — The Starthrower Foundation, a small Canadian registered charity, is looking for a trucker to help transport donations for Haitian youth to Fort Lauderdale.

Starthrower works in Haiti to help youth who are parentless, starving and often trying to raise siblings. The money the charity raises goes towards providing food, medical care and tuition for schooling and apprenticeships.

Conditions in Haiti are horrific, almost beyond belief for most of us, says Bev Fleming, secretary treasurer with Starthrower. Half the population of nine million are under age 17. Death from dehydration, starvation and disease is common. Armed rebels control the country. Kidnapping for ransom and shootings in the streets are commonplace.

The organization currently has 20 large boxes of donated items at its headquarters in Orangeville, Ont. including vitamins, protein powder, school supplies, new clothing and shoes waiting to be shipped to Haiti. A shipping company in Fort Lauderdale has agreed to send the goods the rest of the way.

I am trying to find a way to get the goods from Orangeville to Fort Lauderdale and am hoping that a truck destined for Florida may be willing to transport them for no cost or a very nominal cost, Fleming said.

Drivers interested in assisting the organization are encouraged to call Fleming at 519-942-0200. For more information visit www.starthrowerfoundation.org.